Printer control film, film carrier, and method for managing a printer control film

ABSTRACT

A printer control film and a film carrier allow proper management of the printer control film. When a Bull&#39;s-eye serving as the printer control film is inserted into the film carrier, magnetic information recorded on the Bull&#39;s-eye is read out. When it is judged based on the read out information that the Bull&#39;s-eye is an unused one, a start time of use is recorded on the Bull&#39;s-eye together with an apparatus ID. When it is judged that the Bull&#39;s-eye was used before, the apparatus ID, the used period, the number of times of use, and the like are read out from the Bull&#39;s-eye. When it is judged based on these data that the Bull&#39;s-eye carries proper images necessary for a conditioning operation, the number of times of use is updated. Subsequently, images recorded on the Bull&#39;s-eye are printed onto a printing paper.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/149,049 filed Sep. 8,1998, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, andwhich is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/670,933 filed Jun. 28,1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,519.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printer control film used for settingconditions of exposure for printing onto a printing paper, imagesrecorded on a photographic film, and to a film carrier onto which such aprinter control film is loaded. The present invention also relates to amethod for managing such a printer control film.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a photographic printer, in order to obtain color prints each havingan optimum density and tone, the processing performance of eachprocessing solution such as developing solution, is strictly controlled,and for each printing apparatus conditions of exposure are set forprinting onto a printing paper (color paper) images recorded on anegative film. Such exposure conditions are obtained from standardexposure conditions which provide proper prints through exposure wheneach image has a standard density. That is, the standard exposureconditions are compensated so as to obtain an optimum density and colorbalance regardless of variations in image density caused by overexposureor underexposure.

The standard exposure conditions for providing color prints each havingan optimum density and tone must be correct when a color paper having adifferent emulsion number is used, when a printing lamp is replaced,when developing solution is changed, when colors of photographs arechanged due to a turning of the seasons, or the like. Further, when theexposure conditions vary due to dirt, degradation, or replacement of anoptical system including a light adjusting filter, a lamp, a reflector,etc., the standard exposure conditions and compensation values thereformust be corrected.

When such standard exposure conditions or their compensation values areset or corrected, a developed film which is obtained by photographing apredetermined object under preset exposure conditions (printer controlfilm) is used, and a so called "conditioning operation" is performedusing the printer control film. In the conditioning operation, exposureconditions are set or corrected such that an image recorded on theprinter control film is printed in a desired state. The printer controlfilm used for conditioning is a so-called "Bull's-eye" having a circularimage at the center of a frame, which is formed by photographing a grayobject. The Bull's-eye is loaded onto a film carrier, in the same manneras in the case of ordinary photographic film, so as to carry outexposure for printing onto a printing paper the image recorded on theBull's-eye. Through this process, a photographic print is obtained. Thedensity of the image on the photographic print is measured and comparedwith that of an image on a previously prepared standard print (referenceprint). Based on the results of the comparison, the exposure conditionsare set.

However, when the image recorded on the Bull's-eye discolors or becomesdirty, the conditioning operation becomes impossible to be carried outaccurately even if the discoloration or dirt is slight. Since images ona plurality of Bull's-eyes differ slightly from one another, performingthe conditioning operation must be avoided using a Bull's-eye for adifferent photographic printer. Management for such a Bull's-eye isperformed using a label which is attached to part of the film and onwhich is displayed a start time of use, a time limit for use, aphotographic printer to be conditioned, and the like. Therefore, it isdifficult to perform the management accurately, and there is a largepossibility of bringing about problems of erroneous use of a Bull's-eyewhich has passed its time limit for use or which has reached the usablelimit (a predetermined number of times of use), or erroneous use of aBull's-eye used for conditioning another photographic printer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished in view of theabove-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is toprovide a printer control film, the management of which is greatlyfacilitated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a film carrierwhich allows proper management of a printer control film.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method formanaging a printer control film.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda printer control film used for setting exposure, conditions duringexposure for printing onto a printing paper, images of a photographicfilm loaded onto a film carrier of a photographic printer. The printercontrol film comprises an image recording region in which an image isrecorded which has been formed through exposure under predeterminedexposure conditions, a perforation indicating the position of the imagein the image recording region, and a magnetic recording region intowhich are recorded, at least information specifying a photographicprinter for which the film is used and information regarding use,including a start time of use and the number of times of use, as well asexposure conditions for the image.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda film carrier which comprises an image position detecting section fordetecting a perforation indicating the position of each of imagesrecorded in an image recording region of a photographic film, a magnetichead section capable of reading and recording magnetic information fromand into a magnetic recording region of the photographic film, and acontrol section. When a printer control film,used for setting conditionsduring exposure, for printing onto a printing paper images of aphotographic films, is loaded onto the film carrier in an unused state,the control section records into a magnetic recording region of theprinter control film, at least information specifying a photographicprinter and a start time of use, as information regarding use. Wheneverthe printer control film is loaded onto the film carrier, the controlsection cumulates the number of times of use and records it into themagnetic recording region of the printer control film, as theinformation regarding use, and the control section then positions theimages at a predetermined position successively, after reading out theinformation regarding use.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, based on theinformation regarding use, the controller of the film carrier accordingto the second aspect, judges whether the printer control film hasreached the end of a predetermined serviceable period or a predeterminednumber of times of use.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method for managing a printer control film. In the method, a magneticrecording region is provided on a printer control film used for settingconditions during exposure, for printing onto a printing paper imagesrecorded on a photographic film loaded onto a film carrier, and amagnetic head section is provided which can read and record magneticinformation from and into the magnetic recording region of the printercontrol film. In the method, a control section is further provided so asto control reading of the magnetic information, recording of magneticinformation, positioning of each image at a predetermined position, andloading and unloading of the printer control film. Under the control ofthe control section and through the magnetic head section, informationregarding use, including at least information specifying a photographicprinter and a start time of use, is recorded into the magnetic recordingregion, when the printer control film is loaded onto the film carrier inan unused state. Under the control of the control section, the number oftimes of use is cumulated and information regarding uses, including thecumulated number of times of use, is recorded into the magneticrecording region through the magnetic head section, whenever the printercontrol film is loaded onto the film carrier. By this method, theprinter control film is managed based on the information regarding use.

On the printer control film according to the present invention, imagesare recorded which have been formed through exposure under variousexposure conditions, and exposure conditions of each image are recordedinto the magnetic recording region. Therefore, it is possible not onlyto set exposure conditions based on the density of each recorded imageand but also to carry out exposure while determining exposure conditionsof each image based on the magnetic information.

Since the state of use of the printer control film is recorded in themagnetic recording region, management of the printer control film can beperformed easily and accurately, based on the start time of use,serviceable period, the number of times of use, etc. This prevents theuse of a control film which has possibly discolored or deteriorated.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the information regardinguse of a printer control film is recorded into the magnetic recordingregion of the printer control film. For example, when an unused printercontrol film is loaded onto a film carrier so as to set exposureconditions of a photographic printer, a start time of use, an apparatusID specifying the photographic printer, and the like are recorded as theinformation regarding use. Also, whenever the printer control film isused, the number of times of use, etc., are recorded successively intothe magnetic recording region.

By reading out the information regarding use of the printer control filmrecorded in the magnetic recording region, it is possible to clearlygrasp the state of use of the printer control film. Accordingly, itbecomes possible to prevent the conditioning operation from beingperformed using a printer control film when, based on the apparatus ID,it is judged that the printer control film is for another photographicprinter.

By using the film carrier according to the present invention, it becomespossible to perform proper management of a printer control film, even ina photographic printer which is not provided with a function ofrecording and reading magnetic information into and from the magneticrecording region of the printer control film.

When exposure conditions are set for a plurality of photographicprinters using a single printer control film, apparatus IDs of theplurality of photographic printers may be recorded so as to prevent theprinter control film from being used in photographic printers other thanthe photographic printers whose apparatus IDs are recorded in themagnetic recording region.

In the third aspect of the present invention, whenever a conditioningoperation is performed for setting exposure conditions through use of aprinter control film, it is judged whether the printer control film isin a usable range, based on data regarding the start time of use and thenumber of times of use, which are recorded on the printer control film.With this operation, it becomes possible to prevent the exposureconditions from being set using a printer control film whose images haveprobably discolored due to use over a prolonged period of time or whichhas been damaged due to a great number of times of use. Therefore, theexposure conditions of the photographic printer can be maintainedappropriately, which makes it possible to produce photographic prints ofgood finish through exposure of constant quality.

When a photographic system is used in which a photographic film is woundinto a cartridge for storage, the printer control film of the presentinvention is preferably wound into a cartridge for storage. Thisprevents the control film from being damaged or from being affected byexternal light, which would otherwise cause discoloration, duringstorage.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description and theappended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by way ofillustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the structure of a printer processorequipped with a photographic printer;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a film carrier according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the base of the film carrier shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross section of the film carrier along thetransport direction of a negative film;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the control section ofthe film carrier;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a Bull's-eye to which the presentinvention is applied; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the filmcarrier.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 schematically shows the structure of a printer processor 10. Inthe printer processor 10, a printer section 10A serving as aphotographic printer is integrated with a processor section 10B, andboth sections are covered by a casing 12.

The printer section 10A is provided with a worktable 14 projecting fromthe casing 12. On the upper surface of the worktable 14 is provided afilm carrier 18 onto which a negative film 16 is set.

On the lower side of the worktable 14 in FIG. 1 are disposed a diffusiontube 20, a cut filter 24 equipped with a driver 22, and a light source26. The filter 24 includes color filters of yellow (Y), magenta (M) andcyan (C) and compensates the balance between red (R), green (G) and blue(B) components of light irradiated from the light source 26. In anoptical section 28 located on the upper side of the worktable 14 in FIG.1 are disposed a printing lens 30, a black shutter 32, and a reflectionmirror 34.

Light irradiated from the light source 26 passes through the diffusiontube 20 and irradiates the negative film 16 set on the film carrier 18.After passing through the negative film 16, the light passes through theprinting lens 30 and reaches the reflection mirror 34 at which thedirection of the light (direction of the optical axis) is changed byabout 90°. On one side of the reflection mirror 34 is disposed avariable print mask 36, and the light reflected by the reflection mirror34 is irradiated into the opening of the variable print mask 36.

At the top of the casing 12 is disposed a paper magazine 42, whichstores therein a printing paper 38 wound in layers around a reel 40.Further, a plurality of rollers 44 are disposed within the casing 12 soas to guide the printing paper 38 pulled out of the paper magazine 42.The running direction of the printing paper 38 is changed at one side ofthe reflection mirror 34 so that the printing paper 38 reaches thevariable print mask 36. When light passing through the negative film 16is irradiated into a predetermined region of the printing paper 38surrounded by the variable print mask 36, an image is printed onto theprinting paper 38.

A half mirror 60 is provided between the black shutter 32 and the filmcarrier 18, and adjacent to the half mirror 60 are disposed densitysensors 62 for detecting the density of the image for each of red, greenand blue. Part of the light passing through an image recorded on thenegative film is reflected by the half mirror 60, so that this part ofthe light reaches the density sensor 62, where the density of the imageis measured. In the printer section 10A, exposure conditions such asexposure time are set in accordance with the density of the image thusmeasured.

After the image has been printed, the printing paper 38 is transportedinto the processor section 10B. In the processor section 10B, there areprovided a color developing tank 46, a bleaching/fixing tank 48, and aplurality of rinsing tanks 50. The printing paper 38 is passedsequentially through a color developing solution, a bleaching/fixingsolution, and a rinse solution, which are stored in the above-mentionedtanks, respectively. Subsequently, the printing paper 38 is transportedto a drying section 52, where drying air such as hot air is blown ontothe printing paper 38, thereby performing drying. After completion ofthe drying process, the printing paper 38 is transported to a cuttersection 54 disposed above the drying section 52. In the cutter section54, the printing paper 38 is cut image frame by image frame, and isdischarged from the casing 12. Pieces of the printing paper 38discharged from the casing 12 are sorted for each negative film 16 andare accumulated in a sorter section 56.

FIGS. 2-4 show the film carrier 18 mounted on the worktable 14. The filmcarrier 18 has a base 100, on which a cartridge loading section 102 anda film receiving section 104 are provided. Further, a transport path 106is formed on the upper surface of the base 100 such that it extends fromthe cartridge loading section 102 to the film receiving section 104. Thetransport path 106 is typically covered by a cover 108 disposed on thebase 100.

Onto the cartridge loading section 102 is loaded a cartridge 112, whichhouses a negative film 16 wound around a spool shaft 110. When the spoolshaft 110 of the cartridge 112 loaded onto the cartridge loading section102 is rotated by a motor 114 (see FIG. 3), the negative film 16 is fedout to the transport path 106. When the motor 114 is rotated in thereverse direction, the fed out negative film 16 is wound by the spool110 for storage in the cartridge 112.

Along the transport path 106, there are disposed paired feed rollers118A-118D which are supported by the base 100 and the cover 108. Thefeed rollers 118A-118D are driven by a motor 120 (see FIG. 3). A portionof the negative film 16 outside the cartridge 112 is held by the feedrollers 118A-118D and is transported in one direction such that thenegative film 16 is further pulled out of the cartridge 112, or in theopposite direction such that the negative film 16 is fed back into thecartridge 112. In the film receiving section 104, the negative film 16fed via the transport path 106 is guided by guides 150 and 152 so thatthe negative film 16 approaches the peripheral surface of a take-upshaft 116. Guide rollers 154 provided at the tips of the guides 150 and152 cooperate with the take-up shaft 116 so as to hold the negative film16 therebetween and wind it around the take-up shaft 116. By thisoperation, the negative film 16 is temporarily stored in the filmreceiving section 104. Therefore, even when the negative film 16 pulledout of the cartridge 112 has a curl, the negative film 16 is preventedfrom winding itself around, which would damage the negative film 16.

In the cartridge loading section 102, before feeding out the negativefilm 16 into the transport path 106, it is judged whether the negativefilm 16 contained in the cartridge 112 has been subjected todevelopment. This prevents the negative film 16 from being pulled outerroneously when the negative film 16 is an undeveloped one.

In the film carrier 18, an opening 122 for printing is formed at thecentral portion of the transport path 106. Each frame of the negativefilm 16 is positioned successively so as to face the opening 122. Thelight from the light source 26 propagating from the lower side of thebase 100 passes through a frame of the negative film 16 positioned atthe opening 122 and reaches the optical section 28. A negative filmpressing plate 124 is disposed between the base 100 and the cover 108.After a certain frame of the negative film 16 is positioned to face theopening 122, the negative film pressing plate 124 presses uniformly anarea surrounding an image of the frame against the base 100, therebypreventing generation of distortion in an image focused on the printingpaper 38.

Moreover, magnetic head units 126 and a sensor unit 128 are disposed onthe film carrier 18. Each of the magnetic head units 126 is providedwith a recording head 130 for writing of magnetic information and areading head 132 for reading of magnetic information. The magnetic headunits 126 are fixed to the cover 108 such that they are disposed attransverse direction ends of the transport path 106 so as to face oneanother. Backup rollers 134, which face the recording head 130 and thereading head 132, respectively, are disposed on the base 100.Accordingly, each of magnetic recording layers formed at both transversedirection ends of the negative film 16 transported along the transportpath 106 is caused to come in close contact with the recording heads 130and the reading heads 132.

The sensor section 128 is provided with a plurality of sensors 140 and142, each consisting of a light emitting device 136 and a lightreceiving device 138. At each sensor 140, 142, one of the light emittingdevice 136 and the light receiving device 138 is disposed on the cover108, whereas the other of the light emitting device 136 and the lightreceiving device 138 is disposed on the base 100.

The sensors 140 are disposed at both transverse direction ends of thetransport path 106 so as to face one another. The sensors 140 detectperforations formed in the negative film 16 and also read out opticalinformation in the form of a bar code, such as a DX code. The sensors142 are arranged in the widthwise direction of the transport path 106 soas to detect images recorded on the negative film 16 passing through thetransport path 106.

As shown in FIG. 5, the film carrier 18 is provided with a carriercontroller 144. The carrier controller 144 includes an unillustratedmicro computer consisting of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. To the carriercontroller 144 is connected various sensors, drive components, etc. ofthe film carrier 18. In detail, in addition to the recording heads 130and the reading heads 132 of the magnetic head units 126, and the lightemitting devices 136 and the light receiving devices 138 of the sensors140 and 142, the motors 114 and 120, an operation switch 148 (see FIG.2) provided on the base 100, and the like are connected to the carriercontroller 144. A printer controller 146 of the printer section 10A isalso connected to the carrier controller 144.

When a negative film 16, in which perforations for precisely indicatingthe position of each image are formed at both transverse direction ends,is loaded onto the film carrier 18, the position of each image can beprecisely detected from the perforations. When the negative film 16 isprovided, at both transverse direction ends thereof, with magneticrecording layers on which various kinds of information regarding imagesobtained through photographing or the like are recorded, the informationrecorded on the magnetic recording layers can be read out. Also,information can be layerded onto the magnetic recording layers.

Each recording head unit 126 is disposed such that when a certain imageframe of the negative film 16 is positioned at the opening 122, therecording head 130 is situated between two adjacent image frames locatedbetween the certain image frame and the cartridge loading section 102,while the reading head 132 is situated between the recording head 130and the opening 122. With this arrangement, it is possible to read outmagnetic information from the negative film 16 when the negative film 16is completely pulled out from the cartridge 112, and to record magneticinformation on the negative film 16 when the negative film 16 istransported frame by frame while the image in each frame is subjected toexposure.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the cartridge loading section 102 is providedwith a strip inserting portion 156 so as to insert into the transportpath 106 a negative film 16 which is not accommodated in the cartridge112 and has an arbitrary length (so called "strip film"). At the stripinserting portion 156, a sensor 158 is provided so as to detect passageof the strip negative film 16. Also, a discharge port 160 is formed inthe film receiving section 104 so as to directly discharge the stripnegative film 16 without taking up it around the take-up shaft 116.

In the film carrier 18, when it is detected by the sensor 158 that thestrip negative film 16 is inserted in the strip inserting portion 156,the motor 120 is operated, and the guide 150 in the film receivingsection 104 is moved by operating drive means such as a solenoid 162(see FIG. 5), thereby guiding the strip negative film 16 to thedischarge port 160.

In the printer processor 10, the density of an image in each frame ofthe negative film 16 loaded onto the film carrier 18 is measured so asto set exposure conditions, based on which exposure is performed toprint the image onto the printing paper. At this time, the exposureconditions are obtained by compensating standard exposure conditions inaccordance with a variation in the density of the image. The standardexposure conditions are such that when an image having a standarddensity is printed through exposure under standard exposure conditions,a proper print can be obtained. The setting and checking of the standardexposure conditions and the setting of a compensation valuecorresponding to a variation in the density of each image are performedregularly. This operation is also performed whenever a component of theoptical system such as the lamp of the light source 26, the filter 24 isreplaced in the printer section 10A, or a process solution is exchangedin the processor section 10B. That is, exposure conditions such asexposure time, and balance among three primary colors (R, G and B)during exposure are set such that the images recorded on the negativefilm 16 are reproduced as prints each having constant agreeable quality.

FIG. 6 schematically shows the structure of a Bull's-eye 80, which isused as a printer control film for setting and correcting the standardexposure conditions in the printer section 10A of the printer processor10. As in the negative film 16, the Bull's-eye 80 has an image recordingregion 82 provided at the longitudinally central portion, and a leaderportion 84 and a tail portion 86 are provided such that they sandwichthe image recording region 82. The tail portion 86 has a plurality ofengagement holes which can be engaged with the spool shaft 110 when theBull's-eye 80 is stored into the cartridge 112.

The image recording region 82 of the Bull's-eye 80 has an underexposureframe 88U, a standard exposure frame 88N, an overexposure frame 88O, andan ultra overexposure frame 88Oo, as well as unexposed base frames 88B.The underexposure frame 88U, the standard exposure frame 88N, theoverexposure frame 88O, and the ultra overexposure frame 88Oo are formedby photographing a circular image having a predetermined color (gray) inthe states of underexposure, standard exposure, overexposure and ultraoverexposure, respectively.

In the image recording region 82 of the Bull's-eye 80, perforations 90indicating the positions of the images are formed at the transversedirection end thereof. Further, an around perforation 84A is formed inthe leader portion 84 to be adjacent to the image recording region 82,while an around perforation 86A is formed in the tail portion 86 to beadjacent to the image recording region 82. At both transverse directionends of the Bull's-eye 80, longitudinally extending magnetic tracks 92are provided on which magnetic information is recorded. The magnetictracks 92 may be formed by applying a transparent magnetic recordinglayer over substantially the entire area of one face of the Bull's-eye80. In this case, only predetermined regions of the magnetic recordinglayer are used as the magnetic tracks 92.

By detecting the around perforations 84A and 86A and perforations 90 ofthe Bull's-eye 80 using the sensors 140, the position of each imageframe can be accurately grasped. By reading out magnetic informationrecorded on the magnetic tracks 92, various kinds of informationregarding the Bull's-eye 80 can be obtained. Further, the informationrecorded on the magnetic tracks 92 can be rewritten if needed.

For the Bull's-eye 80, the end of a serviceable period (hereinafterreferred to as a "usable time limit") T and a limit on the number oftimes of use (hereinafter referred to as a "limit use number") N arepreviously set, taking into consideration damage and discoloration ofimages recorded on the Bull's-eye 80.

The carrier controller 144 of the film carrier 18 rewrites the number oftimes of use (use number) n whenever the Bull's-eye 80 is used. When theuse number n is zero, i.e., when the Bull's-eye 80 is used for the firsttime, data of starting the use is recorded together with an apparatus IDof the printer section 10A or the printer processor 10. In the filmcarrier 18, when the conditioning operation for the printer section 10Ais performed using the Bull's-eye 80, information regarding use is readout together with the usable time limit T and the limit use number N soas to compare them, thereby judging whether the conditioning operationcan be performed properly using the Bull's-eye 80.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

In the printer processor 10, a negative film 16, which has beensubjected to development, is loaded onto the film carrier 18 mounted onthe worktable 14. After that, a printing operation is performed to printonto the printing paper 38 images recorded on the negative film 16.

In the film carrier 18, the spool shaft 110 of the cartridge 112 isrotated so as to feed the negative film 16 out of the cartridge 112. Theportion of the negative film 16 fed out of the cartridge 112 are held bythe feed rollers 118A-118D so that the negative film 16 is transportedwhile being pulled out of the cartridge 112. During the transportation,magnetic information recorded on the negative film 16 is read out by thereading head 132. Subsequently, the negative film 16 is received by thefilm receiving section 104 for temporary storage. After that, thenegative film 16 is fed back to the cartridge loading section 102 and isrewound into the cartridge 112, during which the negative film 16 istransported frame by frame so as to successively position the imagesrecorded on the negative film 16 at the opening 122 for printing.

In the printer section 10A of the printer processor 10, when an image ispositioned at the opening 122 of the film carrier 18, the density of theimage is measured based on the light which is irradiated from the lightsource 26 and passes through the negative film 16, and exposureconditions are set based on the thus measured density. Opening andclosing of the black shutter 32 and other operations are performed inaccordance with the exposure conditions so as to print onto the printingpaper 38 the images recorded on the negative film 16. In the filmcarrier 18, magnetic information is recorded onto the magnetic recordinglayer while the negative film 16 is being rewound.

After the images have been printed onto the printing paper 38 in theabove-described manner, the printing paper 38 is transported into theprocessor section 10B, in which the printing paper 38 undergoes colordevelopment, bleaching/fixing, rinsing, and drying process. After that,the printing paper 38 is cut frame by frame to produce photographicprints. The photographic prints are accumulated in the sorter section56.

When a conditioning operation is performed so as to set standardexposure conditions, which serve as a reference during exposure carriedout by the printer section 10A of the printer processor 10, and to setcompensation values used for compensating the standard exposureconditions in accordance with the state of exposure (density of eachimage), the above-described Bull's-eye 16 is loaded onto the filmcarrier 18 in place of the negative film 16.

The flowchart of FIG. 7 shows the operation of the film carrier 18 whenphotographic prints for conditioning operation are made from the imagesrecorded on the Bull's-eye 80. The operation of the film carrier 18 willnow be described with reference to FIG. 7. In the following description,a strip type Bull's-eye 80 is used which is not accommodated in thecartridge 112.

The processing shown by the flowchart is executed when an operatorselects an operation mode for carrying out a conditioning operation forthe printer processor 10 and the sensor 158 detects that the Bull's-eye80 has been inserted into the transport path 106 between the base 100and the cover 108 of the film carrier 18 via the strip insertion portion156. The processing shown by the flowchart may be started in response tooperation of an unillustrated conditioning start switch (which may beprovided on the film carrier 18 or the printer processor 10).

In first step 200, the motor 120 is driven to start the transport of theBull's-eye 80. In step 202, magnetic information recorded on themagnetic tracks 92 is read out by the reading head 132 when the magnetictracks 92 of the Bull's-eye 80 pass by the magnetic head units 126.

In subsequent step 204, it is judged, based on the magnetic informationrecorded on the Bull's-eye 80, whether the use number n is zero. Thatis, it is judged whether the Bull's-eye 80 is an unused Bull's-eye. Whenthe Bull's-eye 80 is an unused one (affirmative judgment, n=0), theprocessing moves to step 206. In step 206, a start time of use (forexample, date, month and year) is recorded onto the magnetic tracks 92together with the apparatus ID of the print section 10A or the printerprocessor 10.

When the Bull's-eye 80 is one having already been used before (when anegative judgment is made in step 204), the processing moves to step 208so as to compare the apparatus ID recorded on the Bull's-eye 80 and theactual apparatus ID of the printer section 10A. When the apparatus IDsdiffer from each other, the processing moves to step 210 so as toperform error processing. In the error processing, a message isdisplayed which clearly indicate that the Bull's-eye 80 is for aphotographic printer other than the presently used photographic printer,and an alarm or the like is also generated to urge the operator toconfirm the error. After that, the conditioning operation using theBull's-eye 80 is completed (step 232). The alarm and the display ofmessage may be performed on a display section or the like provided onthe printer processor 10. Alternatively, such a display or the like maybe provided on the film carrier 18.

As described above, when printing for a conditioning operation isperformed using the Bull's-eye 80, the apparatus ID, which is recoded onthe Bull's-eye 80 as information regarding use, is confirmed. Thisprevents Bull's-eyes 80 for other photographic printers from being used.

When the apparatus ID recorded on the Bull's-eye 80 coincides with theapparatus ID of the printer section 10A (when an affirmative judgment ismade in step 208), it is then judged whether the usable time limit Trecorded on the Bull's-eye 80 has been reached. The usable time limit Tmay be determined based on the date of manufacture of the Bull's-eye 80,or the date on which the Bull's-eye 80 is first taken out of a packagehaving a tight sealing and light shield function. In the latter case, instep 212, the period of time t during which the Bull's-eye 80 is used(hereinafter referred to as "use period") is calculated from the starttime of use, and in step 214, it is judged whether the use period t hasreached the usable time limit T.

When the use period t has not exceeded the usable time limit T (when anaffirmative judgment is made in step 214), the processing moves to step216 so as to confirm whether the use number n has exceeded thepredetermined limit use number N. When the use number n has exceeded thelimit use number N, the processing moves to step 218. In step 218, amessage is displayed which indicates that the images recorded on theBull's-eye 80 may degrade (error processing). After that, the printingfor conditioning operation is stopped.

When it is judged based on the information regarding use recorded on theBull's-eye 80 that the Bull's-eye 80 is in a usable range (whenaffirmative judgments are made in steps 214 and 216), the processingmoves to step 220 so as to increment the use number n and updates(writes) the information regarding use recorded on the Bull's-eye 80.

When the confirmation and update of the information regarding use areperformed in the above-described manner and it is confirmed that theBull's-eye 80 is a proper Bull's-eye for the processor 10 (printersection 10A), an exposure operation is started so as to print onto theprinting paper 38 the images of the Bull's-eye 80. When the use period tand the use number n of the Bull's-eye 80 approach the usable time limitT and the limit use number N, such a state may be clearly displayedwhile the exposure operation is continued.

The exposure operation is started when the perforations 90 are detectedby the sensors 140 so that an image of the Bull's-eye 80 is accuratelypositioned at the opening 122 for printing (step 224). In the printersection 10A, the density of the image is measured by the density sensor62 based on the light passing through the image positioned at theopening 122, and exposure conditions are set based on the thus measureddensity. After that, the images are printed onto the printing paper 38.When it is confirmed in next step 226 that printing of the image of oneframe has been completed, it is judged in step 228 whether a subsequentimage is present. When a subsequent image is present (when anaffirmative judgment is made in step 228), the processing moves the step230 so as to transport the Bull's-eye 80 by an amount corresponding tothe length of a frame, so that the next frame is positioned at theopening 122. The above-described operation is performed for each of thebase frames 88B, the underexposure frame 88U, the standard exposureframe 88N, the overexposure frame 880, and the ultra overexposure frame88Oo, thereby making photographic prints for conditioning.

When it is confirmed that all the images of the Bull's-eye 80 have beenprinted on the printing paper 38 (when a negative judgment is made instep 228), the processing moves to step 232 so as to discharge theBull's-eye 80 from the transport path 106. After that, the exposureoperation for conditioning is ended.

When the exposure conditions of the printer section 10A are set usingthe photographic prints obtained in the above-described manner, standardexposure conditions are first set on the basis of the print obtainedfrom the standard exposure frames 88N such that the density in each ofR, G and B and the color balance becomes proper. In detail, the amountof compensation by the filter 24, exposure time, and the like are setsuch that exposure amounts for Y, M and C become the same when thenegative film 16 is subjected to exposure. Further, a so-called slopecompensation is performed using prints obtained from the underexposureframe 88U, the overexposure frame 880, and the ultra overexposure frame88Oo. In detail, compensation values corresponding to different imagedensities are set using these prints such that the densities of R, G andB and the balance become equal to those obtained through exposure underthe standard exposure conditions, regardless of the density of eachimage. With this operation, the images recorded on the negative film 16can be printed onto the negative film 38 such that they have constantfinish quality regardless of their densities.

The setting of the exposure conditions may be performed based on themagnetic information recorded on the magnetic tracks 92 other thanperformed based on the results of the measurement using the densitysensor 62. In this case, desired exposure conditions are recorded on themagnetic recording layer of the negative film 16, and exposure isperformed based on the recorded exposure conditions to providephotographic prints of constant finish quality.

Since the film carrier 18 itself has the function of managing theBull's-eye 80, the Bull's-eye 80 can be managed properly even when theprinter section 10A does not have the function of managing theBull's-eye 80. This allows the printer processor 10 to producephotographic prints of good quality.

The operation of the film carrier 18 is not limited to that shown by theflowchart of FIG. 7, and for example, the operation for updatingmagnetic information may be modified as follows. That is, the Bull's-eye80 is first passed through the film carrier 18 so as to read outmagnetic information recorded on the Bull's-eye 80, and updated magneticinformation is recorded onto the Bull's-eye 80 when the Bull's-eye 80 isagain fed into the film carrier 18 so as to print onto the printingpaper 38 the images recorded on the Bull's-eye 80.

The Bull's-eye 80 may be stored in the cartridge 112 by wounding itaround the spool shaft 110. This prevents the surface of the Bull's-eye80 from being damaged due to rubbing during storage and from discoloringdue to exposure to external light. Accordingly, the Bull's-eye 80 can beused for a prolonged period of time.

In the case where the Bull's-eye 80 is contained within the cartridge112 for storage as described above, the cartridge 112 containing theBull's-eye 80 is loaded onto the cartridge loading section 102, as inthe case of ordinary negative film 16, and the Bull's-eye 80 is pulledout of the cartridge 112.

In the present embodiment, the carrier controller 144 is provided in thefilm carrier 18 so as to perform various kinds of operations, such astransport of the negative film 16, and read/write of magneticinformation. However, it is possible to modify the printer controller146 of the printer section 10A so that it has such a function performedby the carrier controller 144, thereby controlling the operation of thefilm carrier 18.

As described above, in the printer control film according to the presentinvention, information regarding use can be recorded in the magneticrecording regions together with information regarding images. Thisinformation regarding use makes it possible to grasp a photographicprinter to be used, the usable time limit, etc. Accordingly, it becomespossible to properly set exposure conditions, thereby making it possibleto produce photographic prints of proper quality through exposure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for managing a printer control film,said method comprising the steps of:providing a magnetic recordingregion on a printer control film used for setting conditions duringexposure for printing onto a printing paper images of a photographicfilm loaded onto a film carrier of a photographic printer; providing onsaid film carrier a magnetic head section for reading and recordingmagnetic information from and into said magnetic recording region ofsaid printer control film; providing on said film carrier a controlsection for controlling reading of said magnetic information, recordingof magnetic information, positioning of each image at a predeterminedposition, and loading and unloading of said printer control film; underthe control of said control section and through said magnetic headsection of said film carrier, recording into said magnetic recordingregion of said printer control film information regarding use includingat least information specifying a photographic printer and a start timeof use, when said printer control film is loaded onto said film carrierin an unused state, and under the control of said control section,cumulating number of times of use and recording information regardinguse including the cumulated number of times of use into said magneticrecording region of said printer control film through said magnetic headsection of said film carrier, whenever said printer control film isloaded onto said film carrier, whereby said printer control film ismanaged based on said information regarding use.
 2. A method formanaging a printer control film according to claim 1, wherein saidcontrol section judges, based on said information regarding use, whethersaid printer control film has reached a preset period of time or apreset number of times of use.
 3. A method for managing a printercontrol film according to claim 2, wherein when said control sectionjudges, based on said information regarding use, that said printercontrol film has reached the preset period of time or the preset numberof times of use, this state is informed.
 4. A method for managing aprinter control film according to claim 1, wherein whenever said printercontrol film is loaded onto said film carrier, said control sectionjudges, based on information specifying a photographic printer includedin said information regarding use, whether said loaded printer controlfilm is a printer control film to be loaded.
 5. A method for managing aprinter control film according to claim 4, wherein when said controlsection judges, based on said information regarding use, that saidloaded printer control film is not a printer control film to be loaded,this state is informed.
 6. A method for managing a printer control filmaccording to claim 1, wherein said magnetic recording region includeslongitudinally extending magnetic tracks formed at each transversedirection end of said printer control film.
 7. A method for managing aprinter control film according to claim 1, wherein said printer controlfilm is a Bull's-eye.